Chester’s very own BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin bagged £17,836.50 towards the Countess of Chester Hospital’s Babygrow Appeal when she appeared on a celebrity special of ITV1’s The Chase.

Louise was part of a team which included Stacey Soloman, Matt Allwright and Keith Allen in the quiz show hosted by Bradley Walsh.

Stacey proved a dark horse in winning £70,000 towards the group’s £71,346 total which was shared between the fearless foursome who beat The Chaser Anne Hegerty, known as ‘The Governess’.

Chester's very own BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin on a celebrity special of ITV1's The Chase in aid of charity.

Louise, who lives near Chester, is a patron of the £3m Babygrow Appeal to create a new neonatal unit at the Countess.

In her head-to-head with the chaser, Louise was offered a choice of a difficult £8,000 or an easier £346 – based on 3.46am, the time she must get up for work to travel to Media City in Salford each morning. With £70,000 already in the bank, her celebrity colleagues persuaded Louise to go low because she would be needed in the team game.

The larger than life Chaser joked with triathlete Louise, saying: "I'm very good at the Chase Triathlon - yes, starter, main course and pudding!"

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin on a celebrity special of ITV1's The Chase with host Bradley Walsh.

Louise excelled in answering all her questions including this Halloween-themed poseur: ‘In English tradition, before pumpkins, what vegetables were carved and illuminated to ward off evil spirits?’. Her correct answer was ‘Turnips’.

On Sunday (October 30), Louise went along to Chester’s new restaurant Opera Grill for a charity night and Champagne reception where guests watched a special screening of the show on a big screen as it aired. Afterwards she presented the cheque to grateful Babygrow organisers.

Louise said: “It was so lovely to watch The Chase with all of the fundraisers from the charity and celebrate winning money for such a good cause.”

BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin watches a special screening at Opera Grill of a celebrity special of ITV1's The Chase in which she appeared.

The Babygrow Appeal was launched to raise money to build a new neonatal unit that will provide better facilities and a more spacious environment for the babies and their families.

To date, almost £2m has been raised, demonstrating the public feeling and support the appeal has generated.

Lesley Woodhead, head of fundraising for the charity, said: “Louise is a very special patron of the Babygrow Appeal and we were delighted that she chose to take part in The Chase for the appeal. I am a fan of the show myself and know how rare it is for this amount to be won! It was great to be with Louise, her family, committee members and Babygrow supporters at Opera to watch and celebrate together. We thank Opera for hosting the evening for us.”